GREEN Appraisals Act of 2025

This bill makes home energy features part of the mortgage process. Lenders must tell borrowers they can share an energy report about the home, and that they can request one. Appraisers must look at the report when valuing the home. That could raise, lower, or not change the value, and it could help or hurt a borrower’s ability to get the loan. Lenders can’t reject a loan or appraisal just because the appraiser considered an energy report. If a borrower asks, the lender must give them a copy of the energy report for free.

Starting March 1, 2026, with the borrower’s consent, lenders have to send the energy report to the appraiser at the start of the assignment, and their systems must handle appraisals that use this information. Appraisers should consider things like the home’s energy efficiency, any renewable energy features (like solar), estimated energy savings, and how the home’s energy use compares to similar homes, and then decide if those matter for market value. Federal agencies will set guidance and form an advisory group of housing, energy, and consumer stakeholders. Within two years of enactment, agencies will require lenders to update their systems so these appraisals can be reviewed and scored.

Key points

• Who is affected: Homebuyers, homeowners, lenders, appraisers, and federal housing programs connected to “covered” residential mortgage loans.
• What changes: Borrowers can submit or request an energy report; appraisers must consider it; lenders can’t deny a loan or appraisal solely because the report was considered; borrowers can get a free copy; agencies will issue guidance and set up an advisory group; lender systems must support these appraisals.
• When: Lenders must provide reports to appraisers starting March 1, 2026; system upgrades are required within two years after the law is enacted.